Pasadena Mayoral Candidate

 

I have been a public servant all my life. Having served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps, 19.5 years in law enforcement, and 14 years on City Council, I know my experience would be instrumental in making Pasadena the “Community of Choice!” I have lived in Pasadena all my life, represented two different districts in the city, and my results on getting things done speak for themselves. I know Pasadena can do more, yet we have so much wasted potential. I seek the Office of the Mayor to transform the city with innovative, intelligent, and common sense solutions.  

 

My 19.5 years of law enforcement experience, not only as a police officer, but also as a Captain, plus 14 years of City Council experience, give me a deep understanding of how a city operates. I have attended high-level executive police training at the FBI National Academy and Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas. I have a Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston and a Master of Public Administration from Sam Houston State University. I have attended all FEMA Incident Management Courses and have real life experience operating in natural disasters in real time, whether in the field and/or the Emergency Operations Center. I have been in supervision for the last 11 years and supervise over 100 employees. 

 

The mayor is not a king. Under my administration, Councilmembers will have the opportunity to forward ideas and solutions to my office. I will make it a priority to meet with each Councilmember frequently and within the law to garner input. My priority is to transform the city for the better, which will require involved and engaged Councilmembers that feel they have a say in the city's future. One of the first things I will do, is set aside a certain amount of funds for each councilmember to use at their discretion to improve their districts. 

 

I will advocate for a local-business-first policy, ensuring Pasadena-based businesses receive fair consideration for city contracts. The bidding process must be more accessible, and I will work to simplify requirements so that small businesses have a real opportunity to compete. I will also push for educational workshops to guide business owners through the process of securing city contracts, fostering a stronger local economy.

 

First, I would dissolve the Economic Development Board and have the Council be the EDC Board. You have too many questionable procurement processes and a lack of oversight from the Council. Second, we need leadership with experience and a track record of results in economic development. Lastly, I would slow things down, and meet with key stakeholders, residents, and others to fully understand the plan at the convention center and the city-owned properties. Economic Development starts by making investing in Pasadena easier. Businesses want to come to Pasadena, but often stay away because codes are too restrictive, and the permitting processes are slow and antiquated. Addressing those two issues will bring more business investment, but also the city needs to provide tax abatement incentives to businesses that bring jobs and bring development to areas of the city that need it. 

 

To create the Office of Opportunity and Resilience to address development and redevelopment within the city. The permitting process must be modernized and made more efficient. I will push for a review of outdated ordinances that slow down business development and advocate for a streamlined, digital-friendly process that reduces wait times. 

 

Under my administration, every street, sidewalk, water and sewer line in the city and formulate a plan to address each one according to need and not politics. I plan on going out for bonds to address critical infrastructure and other city needs.  

 

Pasadena must embrace technology to improve city services and operations. I will push for online platforms allowing residents to pay bills, submit permits, and quickly access city resources. Implementing smart traffic management systems, expanding automated public safety alerts, and utilizing data-driven planning tools will help Pasadena grow efficiently. Innovation should be at the forefront of our economic and infrastructure development.

 

Public Safety is priority one. I am the only candidate with law enforcement experience. Priority zones will be identified, resources will be deployed, and data will be reviewed and shared with the public. The PD will expand the operations of the Real Time Crime Center. Officers that are assigned to administrative tasks that can be done by a civilian, will be moved to other operational capacities that improve safety. 

 

Pasadena must work with healthcare providers to expand services, especially in mental health. I support partnerships with local hospitals, county, clinics, and nonprofits to improve access to care. Mobile health clinics and outreach programs can play a critical role in serving underserved populations. I will also advocate for increased accountability in healthcare services to ensure residents receive quality care.

 

Workforce development is key to Pasadena’s economic success. I will advocate for increased investment in vocational training programs, expand partnerships between businesses, colleges, and school districts, and support apprenticeship initiatives that connect students with career opportunities. By creating stronger pathways to skilled jobs, we can ensure that businesses have the workforce they need while giving Pasadena residents greater access to stable and well-paying careers.